Sights of Cologne: familiar and unusual. Sights of Cologne - famous and little-known Exhibitions and music

The Chocolate Museum is located on the Reinauhafen peninsula. The museum building resembles the shape of a ship, the total area of ​​which is more than 2000 square meters. Unlike other chocolate museums, the Cologne Museum is not located at a confectionery factory; it only collects and stores chocolate exhibits, through which you can trace the history of chocolate from the times of the Aztecs and Mayans to the most modern technologies.

Despite the fact that the museum is not located at the enterprise, it is equipped with a small chocolate factory, so visitors can see with their own eyes the modern technology of chocolate production. Now all processes are fully automated, and only two people work at the computers, monitoring production and packaging finished products. Not what it used to be! After all, the history of chocolate goes back more than thirty centuries. The bulk of the museum collection consists of hundreds of types of chocolate. A significant part of the exhibition is dedicated to the culture of the indigenous tribes of Latin America, because the Aztecs were the first to learn how to process cocoa beans.

You will be able to get acquainted with the most ancient recipes for making chocolate, as well as the tools necessary for its production. Among the latter: special knives for cutting cocoa beans, baskets for transporting them, as well as the first mechanisms previously used for processing the fruit. The museum stands display extensive and very interesting photographic materials. One of the most impressive exhibits of the museum is a huge chocolate fountain 3 meters high. About 200 kg of liquid chocolate circulates in it.

Perfume Museum

One of the most interesting sights of Cologne is the Perfume Museum (Farina House).

It was in this building that in 1708 the Italian perfumer Johann Maria Farina founded the oldest existing perfume factory in the world and created his famous EAU de COLOGNE, known as "Cologne water" ("cologne"). Farina's list of clients was extensive - from the kings of Prussia and Poland to famous musicians (for example, Mozart). In the 18th century, patent law had not yet been invented, so Farina had many imitators and the name of the fragrance spread to all similar products.

The museum's collection consists of visual exhibits on the history of perfume art. For example, the distillation apparatus improved by Farina, which played a key role in the manufacture of perfumes of that time. As well as historical documents, photographs and illustrations of the production process. Today, the eighth generation of the perfumer’s descendants continues the family business in this building near the Cologne City Hall.

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University of Cologne

The University of Cologne is one of the best higher education institutions in Germany. In terms of the number of students, it ranks 3rd among German universities, after Hagen and Munich. The University of Cologne was opened on May 21, 1388, and lectures began for the first 700 students in January 1389. In April 1798, the university was closed because the rector Ferdinand Wallraf, as well as all professors, refused to take the oath to the First French Republic, explaining this by the need to maintain the independence of the university.

Throughout the 19th century, all attempts to restore the University of Cologne remained unsuccessful. In May 1919, Konrad Adenauer, the burgomaster of Cologne, finally signed a decree on the opening of a new university. In October 1925, construction of the main building began on Albert the Great Square. Currently, the university includes six faculties in the following areas - economics and sociology, medicine, law, mathematics, natural sciences, philosophy and the humanities. In 2006, about 5,000 foreign students studied at the university, most of whom come from Russia, Europe and China.

The Church of St. Martin, also known as the Greater St. Martin Church (Groß St. Martin), belongs to a group of 12 Romanesque churches that are equal in architectural and historical significance to Coel Cathedral.

The church was built in the 10th century, presumably on the site of Roman buildings. Around the year 1000, a monastery of the Order of St. Benedict was located here, which existed until the 19th century. After the fire it was built in 1150 - 1250. a new church, the main part of which was consecrated in 1172.

Rhine Slate Mountains

The Rhine Slate Mountains are located in the middle reaches of the Rhine. They are also partially located in the territories of Belgium, Luxembourg and France.

The length of the mountains is about 400 kilometers. They are formed from layers of sandstone, limestone, quartzite and shale. The highest point is the Großer Feldberg mountain, reaching 880 meters. The massifs rise 300-400 meters above the plateau: on the left bank - the Eifel and Hunsrück, on the right - Westerald and Taunus.

On the slopes of the mountains there are oak, spruce and beech forests, and on the tops of the mountains there are swamps and wastelands. Wheat, sugar beets and vineyards grow on the lower slopes and on the terraces of river valleys. The local population raises and grazes cattle and sheep on the mountains.

Augustusburg Palace

Augustusburg Castle is considered in Germany one of the most significant architectural creations made in the Rococo style. Its construction was started in the first half of the 18th century by the Elector of Cologne and Archbishop Clemens August from the oldest Wittelsbach family in the country. The single complex of the castle is a unique masterpiece that combines the splendor of architecture, painting, sculpture and landscape design.

The façade of the majestic structure is decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures. The interior decoration amazes with its luxury and royal scope. The flat ceiling above the grand staircase is so elaborately frescoed that it gives the illusion that it is a dome. Here you can also admire the state rooms, a dining room with balconies, a luxurious bathroom, and the bishop’s personal chambers.

The palace is surrounded by a beautiful garden and park ensemble, created in the Baroque style, with delightful flower beds, exotic trees, wonderful fountains, ponds and a grove. Currently, the castle and its park are part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage.

Ludwig Museum

The Ludwig Museum got its name in honor of the famous entrepreneur and patron of the arts Peter Ludwig, who made a huge contribution to its development. In 1976, Irena and Peter Ludwig donated their art collection to Cologne, which became a kind of base for the museum. Later, the collection was enriched; through the efforts of the Ludwig family, a new building was built, in which the exhibition complex has been located since 1986. Now it is one of the most significant museums of art of the 20th and 21st centuries in Europe.

The museum's collection includes a huge collection of contemporary art; the exhibition contains one of the world's largest collections of works by Pablo Picasso, works by such masters as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns. The museum also houses the world's largest collection of historical photographs and cameras.

In addition, the Ludwig Museum has a huge library of art publications, an exhibition of video art objects, and the Cologne Philharmonic is located in the museum building. The exhibition area of ​​the museum occupies 8 thousand square meters.

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Sculpture Park

The sculpture park was opened in Cologne in 1997 as part of the Art of Cologne festival on the initiative of collectors and gallerists Eleanor and Michael Stoffel. Previously, it was an ordinary park with old trees, but now it houses a unique open-air exhibition of plastic art. There is no permanent exhibition in the park; exhibits change every two years.

The Sculpture Park exhibits works by both German and foreign artists. Here you can get acquainted with various trends in modern sculpture. Usually you can see about 30 works here. This Cologne landmark will be of interest to avant-garde lovers and art connoisseurs. Neighboring the park are a zoo, a botanical garden and the famous Zoobrücke Bridge.

Admission to the park is free, the exhibition is open daily. The total area is 2.5 hectares.

The most popular attractions in Cologne with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Cologne on our website.

Individual and group

How to see the city of Cologne and its main attractions in 1 and 2 days, as well as where to stay and how to get to the city.

Cologne is a great opportunity to see Germany on a small budget, since you can fly here for just 10 € from many European cities, and even from Moscow. While in Cologne, it’s easy to go to Beethoven’s homeland, and stop by on the way. If you are interested in football, then there is a town nearby. All this is accessible by public transport.

How to get to the city of Cologne

1. : The most popular option. You can get there by train or train for €2.8, while the ticket is valid for 90 minutes and allows transfers. Use transport services to plan your route. costs from 60€.
2. From neighboring cities and countries: with an increase in the number of low-cost flights and the emergence of an airline Victory the opportunity to leave/arrive in Cologne by bus has increased (from 5 € to 19 €). This will help you find a train ticket from the airport and Cologne.

Where to stay in Cologne

1. Hotels: To avoid overpaying for hotels in Cologne, use the search engine. It will find the cheapest price for the same hotel and room and show you which website you can book on. Don’t forget to use it because it will help you return 10-20%.
2. Apartments: In this city, the most budget option for me turned out to be apartments rented through. The apartment was very conveniently located for exploring the city and for a trip to Bonn. I wrote instructions in more detail about the apartment, and below are several photographs of the apartment.

City transport in Cologne

Before exploring the sights of Cologne, it is better to get a public transport pass. All the most interesting things are concentrated in transport zone 1b; a map of transport in this zone can be downloaded.

The cheapest one-time ticket for 20 minutes costs 1.9 € (K Preisstufe), for 90 minutes 2.4 € or 2.8 € depending on the transport zone. If you plan to travel several times, it is better to buy a TagesTicket daily ticket for 8.6 € per person or a group daily ticket for 13.1 € for 2 to 5 people. All tickets can be bought from vending machines at bus stops; the machines may be from different companies, but they sell the same tickets.

Sights of Cologne

My story about Cologne is divided into 2 parts, or rather 2 days. Perhaps the route is not ideal and one could see much more. Below are a couple of links to selling tickets and excursions that can help you see more and get to know the city better.

1. Museum lovers can buy it. It costs a little more than a travel card, but allows you to get big discounts on visiting museums.
2. If you want to see the sights without having to walk for miles, a combined bus and ferry ticket for €21 will come in handy.
3. in Russian.

What to see in Cologne in 1 day

The first day is almost always the historical center of the city and what everyone should see when arriving in this city. The city center is not very big and you can get around everything on foot if you live not far away, but if you are away from the center to save on housing, then we take public transport and go to the Dom / Hbf stop. This stop is underground, the exit from which to the top will lead to the Cologne Cathedral.

The cathedral contains a golden casket containing the relics of the Three Magi, a sculpture of the Milanese Madonna and the Hero's Cross, considered in the 10th century the largest crucifix in Europe.

To photograph the cathedral in full size, you have to try, but I never managed to do it, because it’s not for nothing that it is one of the 3 tallest churches in the world. Entrance inside the cathedral is free and always open. From the inside, the size of the cathedral is also amazing.

Opposite the main entrance to the cathedral there is a tourist center where you can get a map of the city. The center is open until 20 pm, except on Sundays when its work ends at 17 pm.

Between the entrance to the cathedral and the tourist center there is a sculpture, the purpose of which may not be immediately understood, but when approaching it you can read the inscription in Russian that it is an exact copy of the tip of the towers, with its own name Kreuzblume.

Adjacent to the cathedral is a modern station building. In its place before World War II there was a more historical building from 1894, but it was thoroughly destroyed.

In the photo of the station on the left you can see a pink building, this is . The front façade looks nicer. And the church itself is very old, over 400 years old. It was built in 1689, but like almost everything in Cologne it was destroyed by the war and rebuilt afterwards.

We return to the cathedral, or rather to the small square Roncalliplatz to the right of Cologne Cathedral. There is a Roman-Germanic Museum in this square.

The name of the museum almost completely corresponds to the content; there is an exhibition dedicated to the era of the Roman Empire. The museum is open from 10 to 17 hours, entrance ticket is 9 € for adults and 5 € for children under 18 years old.

If the museum is not of interest, then we head to the embankment to look at the Rhine River, and at the same time take a walk along it in the Rhine Garden park to the next sights of Cologne. At the exit to the embankment there will be a decorated small piece of the park.

On the other side of the Rhine, the embankment looks like an amphitheater of continuous steps. In the photo on the left you can see the round tower of Köln Triangle; there is an observation deck on it, which we will go to on the second day.

Fish market

Walking along the embankment, it will be difficult to pass by the cute colorful houses; near them you will need to return to the historical center of the city again. This place itself is a former Fish Market, as the fountain reminds us of. If you come closer to the fountain, you will see sculptures of women selling fresh fish.

It is not possible to pass this place unnoticed because of the large Church of St. Martin located behind the colored houses.

The Catholic Church traces its history back to the 12th century, when it was built on the site of an older temple. During the Second World War, the building was significantly damaged; from the original interior, only the 16th century altar, some sculptures and the font were preserved. The building has been completely restored, but looks as if it had never been destroyed.

Wandering through the courtyards around the church, you can stumble upon local folklore, this is a composition about two heroes of local jokes, Tynnes and Shel. One is a village simpleton, and the second is a cunning city dweller.

Behind the house near which the sculpture is installed begins the building of the City Hall of Cologne.

The history of the Town Hall dates back to 1330, when its oldest part was built, and since 1958 there has been a Carillon on the tower, which sounds four times a day. I wasn't lucky enough to hear him.

In the center of the town hall square there is a Fountain-monument to General Jan von Werth, and for museum lovers there are two buildings here - the Museum of Spirits for 5 € and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum of Painting for 12 €.

We leave the square to the South to walk through the Shopping Quarter of Cologne.

If shopping doesn’t interest you, then to make it less boring to walk along endless shops and shopping centers along the way, you can take pictures of several churches. Where they are located exactly can be seen on the map at the very beginning of the story.

Inside the active church you can see works from the Middle Ages. The building was restored after the war and does not look 1000 years old, but it was built in the 11th century.

This church is located on one of the main shopping streets of Cologne, Schildergasse. After this church, the next point will be Neumarkt Square.

At the end of Neumarkt Square there is the last attraction for today - the Church of the Holy Apostles. The Catholic Apostolic Church was built in the 11th century. At that time it was located outside the city walls, but with the construction of new fortifications in the 12th century it became part of the city.

This is a very comfortable place to end your day. A large number of banners travel across the square and you can go to a hotel or apartment, or you can continue or start shopping in a large shopping center Primark.

Sights of Cologne in 2 days

The second day in Cologne will be devoted to a walk around the defensive wall or what remains of it, and you can end the day by watching the sunset on the observation deck of one of the tallest buildings in the city.

The defensive walls today have turned into wide avenues for cars, and the entrance gates along the perimeter of the city remain a reminder of their presence. If you look at the map of Cologne, the historical center is surrounded by a large road in a semicircle; this is the former defensive wall.

The distance may seem long, but in fact the entire route is 6 km, which can be walked leisurely several times in a day. Even if this is not tedious, there will be short detours to nearby religious buildings and museums.

The best place to start is in the south of Cologne and head towards the south gate Severinstorburg or Gate of Saint Severin. To get to them you need to get to the square Chlodwigplatz, where trams 15,16, 17 and buses 106, 132, 133, 142 stop.

Gate of Saint Severin - Severinstorburg

In the Middle Ages, through this gate one entered the neighboring one. Approximate date of construction: XIII century. It was at these gates that it was customary to greet important guests of Cologne. In the 19th century, the gate tower housed a natural history museum, and now, according to the gate’s official website, wedding celebrations are held here.

In addition to the gate, a church with the same name, Church of St. Severin, is also dedicated to Saint Severin. Most likely, it was the other way around and the gate was named because of its close location to this church.

Of all twelve Romanesque churches in Cologne, this temple ranks second in height.

Bottmühle Tower

Next to the gate there is another fragment of the city wall - a tower, which was built in the 16th century as a wooden windmill, and a century later it was replaced with a stone one.

Ulrepforte Tower - Ulrepforte

Moving along the Sachsenring street from the Bottmühle tower and the St. Severin Gate, we will reach the next city gate Ulrepforte or the tower that remains from it. The tower was built in the 13th century as part of a defensive wall to protect the city gates. In the 15th century the gates were eliminated, and the tower became a windmill and part of a Carthusian monastery.

Before the next gate we will meet numerous churches, but for this we will have to weave through the streets of Cologne to find them. Take a close look at the map above.

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary outside the city wall

The church is Catholic, it was built over 70 years in the 17th century, then it was located outside the city walls, which is why it has such a name. The original interior has not been preserved, since it was destroyed by the Second World War, and only the walls and one of the facades remained from the building itself.

The church is considered one of the oldest, as it was built back in the 10th century. During World War II, some of the decoration was preserved, and today the interior of the existing church is considered the richest of all twelve Romanesque churches.

There are even more churches along this road than I described, but such a number can already get boring, so we return to the elements of the city wall when we reach Friesenplatz Square. From the previous gate you can get here by tram 15 and pass all the churches.

Hahnentorburg Gate

In the Middle Ages, this was the western gate of the city wall, which was built at the beginning of the 13th century. It was through them that the emperors entered the city to go to the Cologne Cathedral to the relics of the Magi for veneration. Later the gate was a prison, and after the war a historical museum and art exhibition. Today there is a flower market in front of the gate.

Roman tower – Römerturm

This is the next element of the city wall, to find it you need to move from the Hanentorburg gate to the city center to the main cathedral. The tower has been preserved since ancient times; its appearance dates back to the 2nd-3rd centuries. In the Middle Ages, there was a monastery next to it, and now it is a residential building of the 19th century.

This building is for those who are already tired of churches and fortifications. The museum is open from 10 am to 8 pm on weekdays, on weekends only until 5 pm. Entrance ticket is 5€ for adults and 3€ from 6 to 18 years old. If you want to attend an additional exhibition, you will have to pay an additional 2 €.

After the museum we find ourselves in the same place where the first day to the Cologne Cathedral began, but this time we don’t need the cathedral itself, but almost inconspicuous ruins almost at its very entrance. These are ruins that were once a very large structure and formed part of the defensive wall and Roman northern gate. I made a small insert in the photo to make it easier to understand the scale of this gate.

Now the ruins, churches and museums are all finished. Of course, a lot was missed, but then 2 days would not have been enough for Cologne. Now all that remains is to look at Cologne from above and if the walk was not fast, then sunset time should be very close.

To get to the observation deck you will have to walk through another attraction of Cologne along the Hohenzollern Bridge.

Hohenzollern Bridge

Initially, on the site of the existing bridge was the Cathedral Bridge, built in 1859. When it could no longer cope with the load, they decided to demolish the structure and in 1911 a new bridge was opened, which was decorated with Romanesque towers and equestrian statues of kings from the Hohenzollern dynasty, after which it was named . But in 1945 the structure was completely destroyed and during restoration the destroyed Romanesque towers were decided not to be restored.

After crossing the bridge you will need to find the entrance to the KölnTriangle tower where it will be written PANORAMA. From this entrance, an elevator takes you to the observation deck.

Access to the observation deck is not free and costs 3 €, children under 12 years old are free. Opening hours are from 12:00-20:00 on weekdays and on weekends from 10:00-20:00. At the entrance where they sell tickets you can buy souvenirs and magnets; here they are some of the cheapest in the city. And at the end, a few photos from the observation deck.

The other side of Cologne, where there are no tourist attractions.

The observation deck itself is an area fenced in a circle with transparent glass. Almost every glass has a landmark drawn and labeled that can be seen through it. This inscription plus the sun make it very difficult to take photographs.

I have everything about Cologne. Thank you for your attention, see you in my next travel stories.

Cost of a trip to Cologne for 3 days

My expenses were less than in the calculation below, but I’ll give an example of an economical option for staying in Cologne for 3 days, which should be enough to see the city and go to Brühl and Bonn.

1. — 26€.
2. 24 pass in Cologne for 2-5 people including transfer from the airport - 16.5 €. For 2 days – 33€
3. A 24-hour pass for 2-5 people for a trip to Brühl and Bonn is 26.5 € (if divided by 2, it is 13.25 €).
4. for 3 nights - 140€.

Total 3 days in Cologne with a trip to Bonn for 1 person about 196 € excluding food costs.

Welcome to the ancient and beautiful the city of Cologne is one of the most important cultural centers in Germany, full of attractions and historical riches.

From our story you will learn about the best attractions of Cologne with their photos, names and descriptions, and once you learn, you will be convinced that a trip to Cologne is worth the time and resources spent on it.

City architecture

Cologne– a city with a truly rich history and architecture. A tourist, looking at many of the city’s majestic ancient buildings, is unlikely to think that in fact most of them are reconstruction workshops.
In fact, many of the richest buildings were severely destroyed during the Second World War. But they were reconstructed in such detail and realistically that it’s even hard to believe.
One of the most famous buildings in Cologne is Cathedral of St. Peter and Mary, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The facade of the cathedral is stunning with its grandeur and beauty - it is the largest church facade in the world!

The cathedral can accommodate more than 20 thousand people at a time, and the height of the twin towers crowning the structure reaches 157 meters! These towers are visible from anywhere in the city.
Construction of the temple began in the 13th century, but due to various events, it was completed only in the 19th century.
The inside of the cathedral is no less impressive than the outside. Its picturesque and elegant stained glass windows, church objects from the Middle Ages and shrines with the relics of the three kings who came to the newborn Jesus are undoubtedly additional decorations of the temple.

Old City Hall, located on Rathausplatz, also deserves your attention.
The town hall is the oldest in the city; its history dates back to the 12th century. The town hall is very beautiful, decorated with 130 stone statues, arches and a Renaissance-style gazebo.

More “younger”, but no less significant is Augustusburg Palace, built at the beginning of the 18th century.
Made in the Rococo style, the castle combines architectural and pictorial masterpieces with equally beautiful sculptures and landscape design.
The interior delights with its luxury. The castle is richly decorated with frescoes and stucco. Here you will see a beautiful grand staircase, halls, a dining room and elegant balconies, an ancient bathroom and the bishop's chambers.

You can also enjoy a stroll through the cozy Baroque garden with beautiful alleys, flower beds, fountains, ponds and unusual trees.

We also want pay special attention to bridges, of which there are a great many in Cologne. You can see here ancient and modern engineering finds, large and small buildings, majestic and graceful bridges:

• Roman Bridge;
• Pont Saint Severin;
• Mülheim Bridge;
• South Bridge;

• Zoo Bridge;
• Rodenkirchen Bridge;
• Deutz Bridge;
• Hohenzollern Bridge.

Hohenzollern Bridge

Pont Saint Severin

Rodenkirchen Bridge

Deutz Bridge

• Hohe Strasse;
• Ehrenstrasse street;

• Schildergasse street;
• Breite Strasse street.

Monuments of Cologne

One of the most ancient and beautiful monuments of the city is monument to Friedrich Wilhelm III, located on the square. Heukmart in the historical center of Cologne.
The majestic sculpture was built at the end of the 19th century and represents a stone pedestal on which stands a proud horse, and King William III of Prussia sits with dignity on it.
On the sides of the main figure you can see bronze sculptures of prominent politicians of that era.

Cologne has both traditional and unusual monuments:

• Monument to pranks;
• Sculpture Kreuzblume;
• Monument Two from the Casket;
• "Beer" fountain;

• Fountain-monument to Jan von Werth;
• Fountain "Curious Woman";
• Monument to Thynnes and Schöl.

Monument to pranks

Monument Two from the Casket

"Beer" fountain

Fountain "Curious Woman"

City museums

Romano-Germanic Museum- both in Cologne and in - one of the most valuable attractions, because its collection dedicated to Roman civilization is recognized as the best in the whole world.
Here you will see many valuable household items and antique jewelry, as well as a collection of ancient, delightful mosaics. One of the oldest mosaics dates back to 220 AD!

You will find the museum at Roncalliplatz 4.

• Ethnological Museum Rautenstrauch-Jost(Cäcilienstraße 29-33);
• City Museum of Cologne(Arsenal premises, Old Town);
• Diocesan Museum of Cologne(Church of St. Columbus, Columbusstrasse 4);
• Chocolate Museum(Reinauhafen peninsula, Schokoladenmuseum 1A);

• Museum of Nazi Victims(Appellhofplatz 23-25);
• Wallraf-Richartz Museum(Obenmarsforten);
• Perfume Museum(House Farina, Obenmarspforten 21);
• Ludwig Museum(Bischofsgartenstrasse 1);
• Schnütgen Museum(Cäcilienstraße 29-33).

Natural attractions and recreational spots in Cologne and surrounding areas

One of the most picturesque places in this region is considered Aggerrandweg trail, located in Bergneustadt. It begins in the river valley. Rengsee, runs along the reservoir and reaches the Aggertalsperre dam.
This is the most picturesque part of the path, because here you can see the confluence of three rivers at once, and from here the path continues to wind along the river. Agger.
As you can see, the path is long enough not only for walking, but also for cycling enthusiasts.

There are also places to relax in the city itself.
So, in City sculpture park you can not only enjoy the comfort and coolness under the old branchy trees, but also admire the beautiful and extraordinary sculptures of German and foreign masters.

You can take a walk and relax on one of the benches on City embankment, which frames the river. Rhine. From here you have a wonderful view of the city and the famous Hohenzollern railway bridge.

We invite you to learn more about the nature of the region at Botanical Garden "Flora"-one of the oldest in .

Walk through Mediapark will introduce you to the most modern part of the city. It is a bustling area of ​​office buildings, cinemas, music studios and many other businesses. Here is the famous skyscraper Cologne-Turm, from which you can look around Cologne and everything that you can see around for many, many meters.

And after a busy day of sightseeing, we suggest you relax in spa complex "Claudian Terme", where you can enjoy the baths of different nations of the world, as well as order numerous wellness treatments selected for your age and health condition.

What to see in Cologne and its surroundings in 3 days?

Cologne - what to see on the first day of your stay in the city?

You can see quite a lot of sights in Cologne in just one day.

1. If you arrived by train, we suggest starting with railway station.
2. Next to it is the famous Cologne Cathedral.
3. On the opposite side of the station - Modern Art Museum And Romano-Germanic Museum.
4. Next, we suggest taking a walk along the old streets of Cologne to Church of the Great St. Martina.
5. From here you can go to Embankment of the river Rhine.
6. After resting and admiring the views, we head to Old market And Town Hall Square.
7. Before it gets dark, you can still have time to walk around st. Hohe Strasse, famous for its shops.

Perhaps this is all you can see in Cologne in one day.

What to see in Cologne on the 2nd day of your stay?

1. We suggest starting the morning with an inspection Melaten cemeteries. Although this sounds a little gloomy, this walk will appeal to lovers of antiquity, since the cemetery began its existence back in 1180.
2. Those who decide to skip this point can go straight to the city center. If you walk from the cemetery, you can see the road Achener Strasse And Hiroshima-Nagasaki Park. If you wish, you can visit the Museum of East Asian Art.
3. Next, we suggest going to the square. New Market and visit Church of the Holy Apostles.
4. If you move from here towards the river, you will come out to ruins of St. Alban's Cathedral.
5. Located nearby Church of St. Mary Capitoline.
6. We reach the river and, crossing the bridge, go down to the port of Reinauhafen, on the territory of which there is now Chocolate Museum.
7. From here we move to the modern part of the city and see the magnificent Kranhaus.
8. Then we return again to the Old part of the city, where for the rest of the day you will see:

• House of cologne No. 4711;
• Gestapo Museum;
• Wallraf-Richartz Museum.

Chocolate Museum Eltz Castle

This video has everything you need to know about Cologne if you are planning to go there and even if you are not. Overview of the main attractions. Enjoy watching!

Now you have learned a lot about Cologne and its attractions, and if you can add your impressions, photos and descriptions to our story, please leave comments.
We wish you an amazing trip!

Cologne, Germany: the most detailed information about the city of Cologne, the main attractions with photos and descriptions, location on the map.

City of Cologne (Germany)

Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany, as well as one of the most important religious and tourist centers. Located on the Rhine River in western Germany. Its area is more than 400 square kilometers and its population is one million inhabitants. Cologne is associated primarily with the historical cathedral, which is the residence of the Archbishop of Cologne. The city's territory is crossed by the Rhine River, which divides it into two halves. Each part contains separate urban districts, with a total of 86 districts.

Historical facts

An interesting historical fact is that this wonderful city was bombed 262 times during World War II, which is a kind of anti-record. The longest bombing mission lasted 75 minutes and involved 1,046 bombers. It is hardly surprising that after the war, reconstruction continued almost until the end of the 20th century.

The coat of arms of Cologne features three crowns and eleven flames. The crowns symbolize the three wise men who rest in the cathedral. The flame symbolizes the murders of the eleven thousand virgins of Saint Ursula.

Sights of Cologne

Cologne is associated primarily with its magnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter and the Virgin Mary. Work on the temple began in 632 and continued until 1880. Because of this, the medieval church also has modern elements, such as two giant towers built in the 19th century. The cathedral's interior includes gems of European art, such as the statue of the Madonna of Milan. Cologne also has numerous Romanesque churches, such as the Church of St. Panteleimon, which houses the tomb of Empress Theophane, wife of Otto II.

Of interest to tourists and researchers is the Ancient Cathedral of St. Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary, which stores valuable relics of the Christian faith, as well as medieval art. The Reliquary of the Three Magi, the Crucifixion of Heron, and the Milanese Madonna will not leave you indifferent. The Queen's ashes also rest here.

There are many attractions in Cologne. There are eight Romanesque churches and five Gothic churches. Among other legendary places in Cologne, it is worth noting secular buildings such as the Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall, built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. A very interesting object is also the medieval dance house.

Another famous landmark is the Hohenzollern Bridge - this is one of the calling cards of Cologne. Steel arch railway bridge over the Rhine, built in 1911. This is one of the most important railway junctions in Europe, through which more than 1000 trains pass daily!

During your stay in Cologne, you can get acquainted not only with historical architecture, but also visit wonderful museums. There are many art galleries here, displaying contemporary works of art as well as paintings by famous masters of the past. Sweets lovers, in turn, will certainly visit the amazing Chocolate Museum, which presents the long and interesting history of this delicacy.

Cologne is one of the largest industrial cities in Germany. It is here that Ford cars, popular all over the world, are mainly produced, the best engines, railway cars, cosmetics, electronics, and, of course, beer. Cologne has the largest concentration of breweries in one place, producing beer, one of a kind, that is, Kölsch. Let us add that the tradition of brewing in this city dates back to the 9th century. It is undoubtedly worth visiting Germany to visit this city, which, however, is crowded all year round.

The city has plenty of usual entertainment, such as a walk in the garden, zoo or near a huge aquarium. Specific local traditions include the annual organization of a carnival, as well as summer fireworks on the banks of the Rhine. The carnival is an annual tradition. Don't miss out on activities for the little ones: a zoo or an aquarium. This city is home to the largest indoor stadium in Germany, where major sporting events take place. It is worth remembering that one of the attractions of Cologne is the possibility of organizing a trip by linear train over the Rhine.

Excursions

When it comes to excursions in Cologne, they are organized by travel agencies. Most often, this city is one of the points of large mobile excursions. You can contact any excursion or tourist office in the city to organize excursions to the sights of Cologne.

How to get there

The city can be reached by car or bus, or by air. Airline lines offer low-cost flights. You can spend the night in one of the many hotels or hostels. Prices for a night's stay at the hotel start from several tens of dollars. In the city you can rent a car for ease of movement. Welcome to Cologne!

Guide to Cologne

A small guide to Cologne - the most interesting sights on the map

A short video about Cologne

Cologne, together with Rome and Constantinople, is one of the three holy cities of the world. It is more than two thousand years old - and every historical period in the life of Cologne has been imprinted on its streets, leaving a mark in the form of various attractions. Many urban legends are associated with the city itself and with the Cologne Cathedral, which has been under construction for 632 years.

For example, one of them says: when construction is finished, the city will fall. Other versions are much more global: with the completion of construction, the Apocalypse will come. There is also a legend that the Devil himself allegedly gave the drawings to the architect of the cathedral. However, Cologne does not live by its cathedral alone. Contrary to the opinion of some tourists, there is something to see here besides the main symbol of the city.

In addition to the traditional sights of Cologne that you can see and even touch, there are also culinary attractions, world-famous cologne and much more, including legends and myths that are more pleasant to listen to right on the spot. At the same time, clearly imagining how certain stories could appear here, what they could be connected with and how.

Sights of Cologne

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is the symbol of the city, the tallest Gothic church in Germany (157 and a half meters). It is located just 50 meters from the central railway station, so tourists don’t even need to go somewhere special to visit it. This building also has the widest façade of any similar temple in the world.

It boasts a spiral staircase with 509 steps that lead to an observation deck located at an altitude of 98 meters. The view of the city from there is incredible. Also, Cologne Cathedral has the largest active bell in the world, and there are 11 of them in total. Meanwhile, the second largest bell, the Priceosa, was cast in the fifteenth century and remained the largest in Europe until the beginning of the twentieth century. It weighs 11 tons and is distinguished by its extraordinary sophistication of sound, which is why it received its name.

The cathedral building itself is a very striking representative of the “flaming Gothic” style. It is precisely because of its upward direction that the cathedral seems quite light, as if piercing the heavens, although it has incredible dimensions. Cologne Cathedral was built in honor of Saints Peter and Mary, but it gained greatest fame in the Christian world thanks to the relics of the three wise men, according to the canon of the Christian faith - the same ones who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Every year, about 6 million tourists come to Cologne for its legendary cathedral.

Located at Alter Markt 55, Cologne, Germany.
In summer it is open from 6 am to 9 pm. In autumn and winter it closes at 19:30.
You can visit it for free, but an English-speaking guide is paid 5 euros for his services, and 3 euros for visiting the towers.

Cologne Town Hall

It is one of the symbols of the city government of Cologne, as well as one of the oldest buildings in the city that have survived to this day. It successfully combines several architectural styles, for example, a 61-meter high tower embodies everything characteristic of late Gothic, the main entrance is made according to Baroque canons. The gazebo was built according to the requirements of the Renaissance. Also at the Town Hall you can find features of the Romanesque architectural style. Surprisingly, all this combines very organically, creating the unique appearance of the building.

The building was quite destroyed during the Second World War, but has now been restored. At the same time, the specialists who were engaged in its restoration removed the innovations introduced by the city architect in the nineteenth century at their own discretion, and returned the Town Hall to its original appearance. The building is decorated with figures of famous residents of Cologne; the statues have disappeared several times (first destroyed by time, then damaged during the Second World War), but have now been returned to their rightful place.

The town hall consists of 5 floors, with the first three being quadrangular, and the last two being octagonal, which only emphasizes its uniqueness. It also boasts 48 bells that still play various compositions. Their repertoire includes 24 melodies. The loss occurs at 9 o'clock in the morning, at noon, and then at three o'clock in the afternoon and at 6 o'clock in the evening. Of course, when talking about the Town Hall, it is impossible to forget about the Platz-Jabbek - a huge carved wooden muzzle, which every hour accompanies the chiming of the bells with its tongue hanging out.

Located at: Rathausplatz 2, 50667, Cologne, Germany.
You can take a free tour on Wednesdays at noon. Visits to the Town Hall are available from 9am to 6pm every day.
Entrance is free, but without a guided tour; tourists are invited to see everything on their own.

Arch of Three Kings

The Arch of the Three Kings is the only one of all the Arches of Fortitude built in Cologne. Once upon a time it led to a monastery located on these lands. If you go through it, you can get fortitude, something like a kind of immunity against your enemies. The arch was erected in the late Gothic style and fully complies with canonical requirements.

Address – NW 50676, Germany, Cologne, Lichhof.
Operating hours: 24 hours a day.
The inspection is free.

Deutz Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in Cologne, which is quite well preserved, despite the fact that the abbey itself was built back in 1003. Moreover, construction was carried out on the foundation of an old Roman fortress. Since the late Middle Ages, the structure was also used as a fort due to its favorable location. However, this also entailed numerous and repeated destruction, and then reconstruction. Due to reconstruction, the original appearance of the building was not completely preserved, but much was still saved. Modern paintings were made by the famous artist Weber.

Address – Urbanstrasse 1, 50679, Cologne, Germany
Opening hours vary depending on religious holidays. It opens to the public after the first morning service and closes with the evening service.
Admission is free.

This bridge has several names. For example, the Hohenzollern Bridge or the Bridge of Love, the latter - thanks to the tradition characteristic of many bridges in the world of hanging locks with the names of lovers and throwing the key into the river. If you are a fan of this kind of tradition, then you should take a look at the same attraction in, or. Such a tradition should supposedly lead to the inviolability of binding ties that nothing can break. And symbolize the seriousness of intentions. As a result, the bridge is decorated with all kinds of locks. And over time there are only more of them, and the bridge itself becomes more and more picturesque because of this. Since the bridge is located not far from Cologne Cathedral, it can often be seen in photographs next to the main attraction of the city. Together with her, he became, in the opinion of many tourists, the calling card of Cologne. The length of the structure is 409 meters, it is made of steel structures.

Address: connects the Kennedy Ufer embankment with Frankenplatz.
Available 24 hours a day.

Cologne cable car

The funicular, built over the Rhine, attracts attention with a very picturesque view that opens from it to the city. You can see all the main buildings of the Old Town. During the entire operation of the cableway, more than 15 million passengers managed to use it. It is also known as the safest form of urban transport: there has not been a single accident in the entire cargo flow and in the entire history of the existence of the cableway. It is interesting because it is the first European cable car built over a large river.

Attraction address: Germany, Riehlerstrasse, 180, Koln
Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open from April to October, closed for the winter.
Entrance: for children under 12 years old – 2.5 euros one way, 3.7 euros both ways. For an adult, one trip costs 4.5 euros, and both trips cost 6.5 euros. Children under 4 years old are not allowed.

Chocolate Museum in Cologne

The Chocolate Museum is located on the island and attracts attention with its unusual appearance: it is presented in the form of a ship, especially loved by tourists for obvious reasons in the winter season. It is the oldest among similar museums in the world, founded in 93 of the last century. The museum boasts an interesting garden in which cocoa trees are grown, including very rare varieties. The establishment has a very large exhibition in which all exhibits are made from natural chocolate. At the end of the tour, you can taste warm chocolate straight from the fountain.

Address: Reinauhalbinsel 1, Cologne, Germany.
Opening hours are from Tuesday to Friday - from 10 to 18. On Sundays it is open from 11 to 19, the same hours remain on holidays. He has a day off on Monday.
One ticket costs 9 euros, if there are up to 15 people in a group, then a ticket for each person will cost 8.5, more than 15 - 6 euros, a family subscription costs 25.

Initially, the Flora Botanical Garden was located in a different location, but it was moved a century and a half ago. Covers an area larger than 11 hectares. The garden is based on the principle of eclecticism; here you can find parts decorated in the style of a classic English park, baroque landscape design, and traditions dating back to the Renaissance. Artificially and skillfully created small waterfalls attract special attention. You can walk here for hours. The Botanical Garden is famous for its exhibitions, which are held here from time to time.

Address: NW50735, Amsterdamer StraBe 34, Germany, Cologne
Opening hours - open for visits on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4-8 p.m., less in winter, longer in summer. On Friday and Sunday it is always open from 11 a.m. until dark; you cannot stay there after sunset. Saturday is a day off.
The entrance is free. Some greenhouse exhibitions may require a fee.

The House of Farina has another name - the cologne museum. This famous liquid got its name in connection with the city, because when translated, the word literally means “Cologne water.” The world's first perfume factory was built here, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and it is also the oldest. The museum preserves ancient bottles, there are photographs of past centuries, and you can learn a lot of interesting things about the intricacies of cologne production. And buy a bottle for yourself as a keepsake and as a gift at the same time.

Address: Obenmarspforten 21, 50667, Cologne, Germany.
Opening hours are every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The ticket price for an adult is 5 euros.

Opinions about Cologne

Cologne is not open to every traveler. Which is already noticeable from the very contradictory opinions that tourists have about it. Some people quite sincerely believe that apart from the cathedral, there is nothing and nothing to see here. Others are simply amazed and do not understand where such an opinion could even come from. From such almost opposite reactions, we can conclude that Cologne can open up to others in very different ways. These are literally different worlds.

The residents of Cologne themselves are proud of their city and how much it has endured, how long it has remained completely free, and its historical role in the Hanseatic League. At the moment, Cologne is perceived as a city leading in education, as well as one of the undoubted centers of art in Germany and in Europe as a whole. After New York, there are the most art galleries here, for example. And the warm attitude of the residents towards their city is something that is noted by many who come here for tourism purposes. They say that the cleanliness of the city is very impressive. Even after the carnival, everything is very neat, garbage is removed at record speed. This impresses not only people from the CIS countries, but also those who have been to the already mentioned New York, Turkey, Egypt, and Asian countries. The contrast is very strong.

Cologne is one of the oldest European cities. And its residents are obviously proud of it, its history, and the fact that much of it has been preserved, despite wars, conflicts and the dark pages of German history. This city has a lot of attractions and just places that would be worth appearing near, that are worthy of seeing. There is so much that it’s simply impossible to fit everything into one article. The most complete impression can be obtained only by arriving in this city yourself, walking along its streets, especially the right bank part, the Old Town.

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